A Keewatin Air Beechcraft King Air B200, performing a medevac flight in Nunavut on December 17, 2021, veered off an icy Runway 27 in Sanikiluaq (CYSK), on an island in Hudson Bay, when a landing was attempted in the presence of a strong crosswind. Earlier reports cited 36 knots gusting to 44 knots from 310° (True). The flight had originated in Winnipeg. One of the two crew members and two medical staff on board received minor injuries only and the aircraft was substantially damaged. Its ELT was triggered and the JRCC in Trenton was alerted. Airport personnel were not aware of the incident, however, until the occupants entered the terminal after hiking over 500 metres in sub-zero temperatures and blowing snow.
The Transportation Safety Board released its investigation report last week. The report revealed that the pilots decided to continue with the approach, basing their decision on a previously successful landing in similar conditions. Since the approach was stable despite turbulence on short final, and continued to be stable when over the threshold, they continued to a landing.
However, the crosswind caused the aircraft to veer left upon touchdown. The pilot-in-command (2905 hours total flight time, 2695 on type) attempted to execute a go-around, but the aircraft continued its leftward path, ending up off the runway after its left landing gear struck a snowbank at the runway edge.
The TSB did not make any specific recommendations in its report, the full version of which can be found by clicking here.